That means more holidays apart, more missed birthdays and anniversaries - and more sleepless nights worrying about their loved ones in harm's way.

"It's a lot to put up with," said Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham. "I think there's a certain amount of deployment fatigue. There's a point at which you kind of run out of yellow ribbons.

"But they're committed to it. It's their job and they're going to do it," he said.

Francine Harsh had two young children and another one on the way when her husband, Jonathan, shipped out to Iraq a year ago. He's home now, but they're already worried he will be sent to Afghanistan next.

"If he has to go, he has to go," said Harsh, 30.

Jonathan Harsh of the 10th Mountain Aviation Brigade says of deploying overseas again, 'It's not even an if, it's a when.' Below, his wife, Francine, with their children Alizae, Kaleb & Mason.

(Sorensen for News)

The division's 1st Brigade Combat Team was expected to go to Iraq next month but recently got put into a pool of troops slated for Obama's Afghan surge.

The 2nd Brigade just shipped out to Iraq for a year-long deployment, and the 3rd Brigade is nearing the end of a tough tour in eastern Afghanistan.

"It's just one deployment after another," Graham said. "Some are on their fourth and fifth deployment. Obviously, it takes its toll. But what can you do? It's a light infantry division, so they get sent out a lot."

The community has rallied around each, with neighbors and friends quick to lend a helping hand to the families with members deployed to the war zone.

"We kind of stick together," Harsh said. "Even the people who aren't in the military stay close and try to help."

"Some days are harder than others," she added.

Jonathan Harsh of the 10th Mountain Aviation Brigade says of deploying overseas again, 'It's not even an if, it's a when.' Below, his wife, Francine, with their children Alizae, Kaleb & Mason.

(Frayer/AP)

Like many military spouses here, Harsh is used to taking care of things back home while her 32-year-old husband is away.

"I don't have a choice, really," she said. "It bothered him when he came home that I was so used to doing things on my own."

At home with his wife and kids, Jonathan Harsh tries to ignore thoughts of shipping out again.

"I can't think about it or I'll just be miserable," said Harsh, 32, who repairs weapons for the 10th Mountain Aviation Brigade. "It's not even an if, it's a when."

Civilians outside the base in Watertown marvel at the fortitude of the soldiers - and their families.

"I'm surprised with how long this war has gone on, they're still positive," said Bill McKinney, who runs a supply store off-base. "I'm surprised at how resilient they are.